MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE "HOLIDAZE" ARE FAST APPROACHING and MSR Classics has a great deal of music specifically crafted to accompany this very Festive Season. See HERE for our catalog of holiday goodies.

Now that Autumn is in full swing, it's time to find an hour or two to cozy up with some new CDs. The flow of new listening material from Newtown has never been stronger - no doubt, there's something for everyone here. Newest of the new is Volume 12 of the Music of BARBARA HARBACH series. This installment, Orchestral Music IV "Symphony Storytelling, features the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of David Angus performing Harbach's Symphony No.11 and a highly evocative film-music suite entitled "Hypocrisy". Next, the Choir of St. Luke in the Fields under David Shuler is heard in their second release on MSR performing music by GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA. The ensemble's first release on MSR, which featured choral music of Manchicourt, received high acclaim, and this new release is surely headed for a similar response; the performances and audio engineering are superlative. Just in the door is TRIPTYCH, which features the west-coast-based Delphi Trio playing trios by Beethoven, Brahms and Bolcom, the latter being a World Premiere. Violinist Liana, cellist Michelle and pianist Jeffrey render the works with great subtlety - but with no shortage of pathos when called for. Right behind Triptych is another chamber title, this one featuring music for oboe by Alyssa Morris, who for this recording also assumes the role of oboe soloist. In A HIGHER PLACE, it becomes apparent literally from the first three seconds of the disc that one is in for a treat. Morris' music is kaleidoscopic in its range of dazzling colors and lovable melodies. Next, two intoxicating programs of piano music are in. First up is a fascinating and truly unique album of works by early-20th-century composer, LUIGI PERRACHIO. A great fan of the music of Debussy, David Korevaar in these World Premiere Recordings shows that Perrachio was himself a gifted impressionist. Speaking of Debussy, Jerry Wong presents a program of piano music by the great French master, this one focused on works that inspire or are inspired by MOTION AND DANCE. Both of these albums are blessed by recordings of warmth, presence and realism. Also just right for a cozy afternoon of listening is THE LOST ROMANTIC, a gorgeous program of lieder and canzone by 19th century composer Louise Reichardt. In her third album on MSR, American soprano Amy Pfrimmer and pianist Dreux Montegut make the strongest possible case for these rarities to enter the mainstream.